Remembrance today

Richard Place reflects on an important and challenging book about war, remembrance, poppies, grief and heroism

by Richard Place 29th November 2013

Autumn rushes ever onwards. The weather has changed. The leaves that gave such a brilliant display of colour only a few days ago are now cascading down like the poppies at the Festival of Remembrance in the Albert Hall. Remembrance Sunday has gone with its solemnity, ceremony and massed crowds at the Cenotaph. So, before our Christmas preparations take over completely, it is perhaps appropriate to read and consider the questions raised in Ted Harrison’s book Remembrance Today: Poppies, grief and herosim.